28635 - Applied Mathematics T-A (L-Z)

Learning outcomes

A sound theoretical basis as well as a working knowledge of the fundamental mathematical methods aimed at coping with uncertainty in physical and other phenomena.

Course contents

Foundations of probability theory.Events and sets. Kolmogorov's axioms. Joint probability, conditional probability, independence.
Total probability theorem and Bayes' theorem.
Random variables.Discrete and continuous random variables. Cumulative distribution function. Continuous random variables with probability density. Characteristic numerical values of random variables: expected value (mean), variance, standard deviation, mean square error, moments. Pairs and vectors of random variables: joint and marginal cumulative distribution functions, joint and marginal probability densities. Laws of conditional distribution, independence. Characteristic numerical values: mean values, covariance matrix, moments. Correlated and uncorrelated random variables.
Models of random variables. Bernoulli scheme. Binomial, Poisson, uniform, normal, exponential random variables. Relationships among some of these kinds of random variables.
Functions of random variables.Characteristic numerical values: representation of the expected value and of the variance, with applications to some notablecases (sum and product of two random variables, linear combination of a finite number of random variables, case of independent, identically distributed random variables, etc.). Notions on the determination of the probability distribution for a function of one or more random variables.
Limit theorems in probability.Sequences of random variables and notions of convergence. Markov inequality, Chebyshev inequality. Laws of large numbers. Central limit theorem.
Introduction to statistics.Sample mean, median and mode, sample variance and standard deviation, percentiles. Bivariate data sets and sample correlation coefficient. Statistical inference. Sampling. Estimators and confidence intervals, efficiency of point estimators. Hypothesis testing. Linear regression.

Readings/Bibliography

H. Hsu, Probabilità, variabili casuali e processi stocastici, ed. McGraw-Hill Italia.
P. Erto, Probabilità e statistica per le scienze e l'ingegneria 3/ed, ed. McGraw-Hill Italia.
A. M. Mood, F. A. Graybill, D. C. Boes, Introduzione alla statistica, ed. McGraw-Hill Italia.
M. Giorgetti, E. Mazzola, Probabilità e Statistica matematica, ed. Pearson (eserciziario).

Teaching methods

Standard lectures held by the teacher alternating with exercise classes.

Assessment methods

A midterm and a final written tests, containing also theoretical questions, will be offered during the course.
The course is passed if the mean of the marks obtained in the midterm and final exams is greater or equal to 18/30, in which case the finale grade will be the arithmetic mean of these two grades. In addition, an oral exam may be taken if requested by the student, but only after passing the written exam.
A comprehensive written exam, containing also theoretical questions, may be taken after the end of the course by those students who did not take or pass the midterm and/or the final test.
Again, an additional oral exam is available on the student's request after passing the written part.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, slides and projector.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Nibbi